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Swedes warned snus tobacco raises diabetes risk | Swedes warned snus tobacco raises diabetes risk |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Researchers in Sweden have issued a warning over snus - the country's favourite nicotine hit - challenging claims it is a risk-free alternative to smoking. | Researchers in Sweden have issued a warning over snus - the country's favourite nicotine hit - challenging claims it is a risk-free alternative to smoking. |
Snus is a moist tobacco which is placed under the user's lip. | Snus is a moist tobacco which is placed under the user's lip. |
The product, which comes in flavours including mint, lemon and coffee, is banned in all EU states except Sweden. | The product, which comes in flavours including mint, lemon and coffee, is banned in all EU states except Sweden. |
A study in The Journal of Internal Medicine found using snus increases the risk of developing diabetes. | |
Researchers said that one or more pots of snus per day increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 70% - the same risk level as smoking a packet of cigarettes a day. | |
Five to six pots a week - a slightly lower consumption level - increases the risk by 40%. | Five to six pots a week - a slightly lower consumption level - increases the risk by 40%. |
Researchers from Umea University, Lund University and the Karolinska Institute followed 54,500 snus users between 1990 and 2013 to compile the study. | Researchers from Umea University, Lund University and the Karolinska Institute followed 54,500 snus users between 1990 and 2013 to compile the study. |
Nicotine to blame | Nicotine to blame |
The link between snus and diabetes is nicotine, which can hamper the body's sensitivity to insulin. | The link between snus and diabetes is nicotine, which can hamper the body's sensitivity to insulin. |
This hormone helps regulate blood sugar levels, and diabetes can develop when the body does not react to insulin effectively. | This hormone helps regulate blood sugar levels, and diabetes can develop when the body does not react to insulin effectively. |
Sweden has the lowest number of smokers in the EU, at around 16.7%. But around 19% of Swedish men and 4% of women use snus - some in a bid to quit cigarettes. | Sweden has the lowest number of smokers in the EU, at around 16.7%. But around 19% of Swedish men and 4% of women use snus - some in a bid to quit cigarettes. |
Many believe that snus is still a safer choice, as it contains fewer toxins than tobacco smoke. The link between snus and heart disease or cancer is therefore weaker than with smoking. | Many believe that snus is still a safer choice, as it contains fewer toxins than tobacco smoke. The link between snus and heart disease or cancer is therefore weaker than with smoking. |
Dr Sofia Carlsson, a researcher at the Karolinska Institute, told The Local: "The current picture in Sweden is that snus is not as dangerous as smoking, and there is some evidence for that too - but importantly, there haven't been that many studies on Swedish snus. | Dr Sofia Carlsson, a researcher at the Karolinska Institute, told The Local: "The current picture in Sweden is that snus is not as dangerous as smoking, and there is some evidence for that too - but importantly, there haven't been that many studies on Swedish snus. |
"Our results suggest you should leave both snus and smoking alone if you want to reduce your risk of diabetes." | "Our results suggest you should leave both snus and smoking alone if you want to reduce your risk of diabetes." |
Meanwhile, Fredrik Peyron of Swedish Match, a leading manufacturer of snus, described it as "the world's most successful smoking substitute" because of the low prevalence of smoking in Sweden. | |
Read more about snus: | Read more about snus: |
Top EU health official resigns over tobacco row | Top EU health official resigns over tobacco row |
Former EU commissioner loses snus court battle | Former EU commissioner loses snus court battle |
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